Stories for June 2019

Friday, June 28th 2019 - 19:50 UTC
US Representatives approve bill to return to paper ballots and avoid cyber attacks on voting machines

US states would get US$600 million in federal grants to secure voting machines from cyber attacks under legislation passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday, with the money to be spent quickly so that upgraded equipment is in place by the Nov 3, 2020 national elections.
Friday, June 28th 2019 - 19:46 UTC
Environmentalists urge G20 to press Japan to end its whaling program

Environmentalists from around the world urged global leaders at the G20 summit on Friday not to “turn a blind eye” to what they called a “cruel assault on whales” planned by host Japan when it restarts commercial whaling next week.
Friday, June 28th 2019 - 18:44 UTC
Falklands attends pre-JMC meeting where Caribbean countries complained of UK “neo colonialism”

Falkland Islands lawmaker MLA Teslyn Barkman pointed out in Cayman Islands how Brexit and a no deal departure by the UK could totally destroy the economy of her country because the bulk of the Islands exports go to the European Union.
Friday, June 28th 2019 - 12:10 UTC
Bolsonaro's support rapidly eroding shows Ibope opinion poll

More than half of Brazilians say they lack confidence in President Jair Bolsonaro, whose support has steadily eroded since winning a commanding victory in October’s election, according to an opinion poll released on Thursday.
Friday, June 28th 2019 - 09:50 UTC
IMF's financial deal with Argentina “harmful” and will be “reworked”, anticipates main opposition candidate

Alberto Fernandez, the main challenger to incumbent President Mauricio Macri in October elections, said on Thursday that if elected he would seek to “rework” Argentina’s huge financing deal with the International Monetary Fund, calling it “harmful.”
Friday, June 28th 2019 - 09:30 UTC
 EU block new jobs: “no white smoke yet”, admits Donald Tusk

President Donald Tusk said on Friday that the EU was “closer” to finding a compromise over the bloc's top jobs but an immediate breakthrough should not be expected ahead of a crunch Brussels summit.
Friday, June 28th 2019 - 09:22 UTC
Argentine president Macri meets IMF's Lagarde at the G20 summit in Japan

The IMF through its spokesperson at its daily press meeting confirmed that Managing Director Christine Lagarde and her deputy David Lipton effectively met with Argentine president Mauricio Macri, and Economy minister, Nicolás Dujovne at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan.
Friday, June 28th 2019 - 07:38 UTC
Bolsonaro says Germany has much to learn from Brazil on deforestation; NGOs ask EU to halt Mercosur talks

President Jair Bolsonaro said on Thursday Germany has “a lot to learn” from Brazil when it comes to the environment, hitting back at criticism over deforestation in the Amazon. Bolsonaro made the remarks in Japan on the eve of the G20 summit, where German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday she would seek “straight talk” with the Brazilian leader over destruction of the rainforest.
Thursday, June 27th 2019 - 15:12 UTC
Argentina foils arms trafficking gang operating in Paraguay and Brazil

Argentina foiled an international gang dedicated to arms trafficking following raids in several provinces and eight months of committed criminal intelligence, according to Security minister Patricia Bullrich.
Thursday, June 27th 2019 - 15:11 UTC
Crew member of Brazilian presidential aircraft caught with 39 kg of cocaine in Spain

Spanish police have arrested a member of the Brazilian Air Force who carried three bags full of cocaine on a military plane to Seville hours before President Jair Bolsonaro’s was scheduled to take a stopover there, police and officials said on Wednesday.